[med.L. = herba angelica the ‘angelic herb,’ or ‘root of the Holy Ghost,’ so named (when or by whom does not appear—used by Brunfells in 1530) on account of its repute against poison and pestilence, prob. from the fragrant smell and aromatic taste of its root.]
1. a. An aromatic umbelliferous plant (A. archangelica, or Archangelica officinalis) indigenous to Europe, and cultivated (since 1568) in England, for culinary or medicinal purposes, and for preparing a confection, ‘Candied Angelica.’ b. in Bot. The genus, of which the prec. plant is, or was considered, the type; of which several species are diffused over the northern hemisphere, one being wild in Britain.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 297. The rootes of Angelica are contrarie to all poyson.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iii. (1641), 27/1. Angelica, that happy counterbane, Sent down from heav’n.
1601. R. Chester, Love’s Mart., 92. There is Angellica or Dwarfe Gentian. From death it doth preserue the poysoned man.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., I. 60/1. Angelicaes distastfull roote is gnawed.
1794. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xvii. 234. Angelica has large globose umbels.
1813. Marshall, Gardening, xvi. (ed. 5), 262. Angelica is cultivated for the large ribs of its leaves, cut in May or June to make a candied preserve.
2. attrib.
1641. French, Distill., ii. (1651), 53. A pint of the best Angelica-water. Ibid. (1652), Yorksh. Spa, ix. 84. Elecampany root candied, or for want thereof Angelica root.
1827. Nuttall, Introd. Bot., 82. Aralia, two of the native species called spikenard and Angelica-tree.
1863. Baring-Gould, Iceland, 112. The beautiful angelica leaf starred the black soil.
3. Short for a. Angelica water (cf. ANGEL-WATER). b. Candied angelica root.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. lv. Spirit of roses, orange-flower-water and Angelica.
1676. Beal, in Phil. Trans., XI. 587. The Thymes … do make a sprightful … infusion in Angelico, against Contagions.
1801. Mar. Edgeworth, Angelina, iv. (1832), 63. What was it you pleased to call for—angelica, ma’am, did you say?
1874. Christina Rossetti, Speaking Likenesses, 39. The Queen consumed … two melons … and about four dozen sticks of angelica.
4. fig. rare.
1592. G. Harvey, New Letter, 18. Converting the wormwood of just offence into the angelica of pure attonement.
